Folding theater-chair



B. FUNK.

v FOLDING THEATER CHAIR. APPLICAUON man JUNE 30. 1919.

1 ,358, 1 94. Patented Nov. 9, 1920.

UNITED sTArss narrator's-ice.

BEBNHARD FUNK, 0F BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASQIGIQ'GB 0F GNE-TI-IIBD TO MRS.

LOUISA BLBRENNEB, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK. i

FOLDING THEATER-CHAIR.

specification of Letters Patent. Pa.tgnted NQV. 9, 192K},

application filed June so, 1919. Serial'No: 3073554.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Bram-mun FUNK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding" Theater- Ohairs; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the-same. r

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in chairs and particularly to folding chairs.

One object of the present invention is to provide a novel and improved chair for use in theaters, halls, churches, or the like, which can be easily and quickly folded into a small and compact condition with its several principal parts standing within the contour of its upright end plates, whereby the aisles between the rows of chairs will be greater than at present, thus permitting large crowds to more quickly pass from the theater or hall. This is especially advantageous in case of panic.

another object is to provide a novel and improved form of folding chair which is strong and durable in its construction, to support heavy persons, and which will automatically fold when the person rises.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a folding chair made in accordance with my invention, the chair being in the position assumed when occupied by a person.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the chair when in folded position.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, showing the arrangement of the pivot and spring of the seat.

Fig. 4L is a front elevation of the chair in open position.

Fig. 5 is a front elevation of the chair in folded position.

Fig. 6 is a vertical central sectional view through the chair taken on the line 66 of Fig. 5.

Referring particularly to the accompanying drawing, 10 and 11 represent a pair of uprights or side plates having the feet 12 which are secured to the floor 13 by means of the screws 1d. "lhese uprights are plates which'are substantially rectangular in contour except thateach has a rabbet 9 cut in its front edge at its upper end, and the plates are spaced and disposed in parallel relation. in theinner face of each of the uprights, at a suitable distance above the feet is a socket 15 for the reception of one of the trunnions 16 of the seat-bottom 17. Ooil springs 18 are also arranged in these sockets and encircle the trunnions, one end of each bearing against the wall of the socket and the other end being secured to the seat bottom, whereby the said springs normally urge the seat bottom upwardly into an approximately vertical position between the uprights, and it only remains down when the weight of a person is thereon. Pivotally connected to the front edge of each of the uprights within its rabbet is an arm member 19, the same being connected to one edge of the seat 17 by means of a link 20, whereby the arms and seat move in unison toward raised or lowered position. Extending transversely of the front edges of the uprights, and secured thereto, is a bar or rod 21, on which the seat 17 rests when in lowered position. This bar or rod is disposed at such an elevation from the floor as to support the seat in a horizontal position.

Secured to the uprights and extending therebetween, is the back board 22 of the chair, the lower edge being disposed at the approximate level of the seat 17, when the latter is in lowered position.

It will be noted that the uprights stand vertical and the back wholly between them. By this arrangement, when the seat folds upwardly, it will lie within the space between the uprights and wholly within their contour and the arms will lie wholly within said rabbets and thus prevent any projection of parts between the rows of seats. This will form the aisles between the rows of seats of greater width thanis permitted with the seats now in use, thus enabling the audience to pass from the seats and out of the building in a much shorter time and without the danger of crowding ordinarily encountered. This is particularly advantageous in case of fire, accident, or other cause for panic of the audience.

On the rear face of the back board of the 1. A folding th'eater chair comprisinga pair of spaced upright plates, each being substantially rectangular and rabbeted in t rQ l edge/311' its 1 11 9 a ba kbQard carried between the-plates and wholly Within their contour, arms pivoted Within the rabbetsand adapted to fold upward to posit tions vvholly vvithin-thecontour of-the end plates, ar-seat -pivoted between the plates and adapted also to fold upward to position Wholly between them, and connections bew sfl e mwn ose t- 21A e d ng th t chairv i el dag a pai ofvpa'rallel upright plates each substantially rectangular except for a rabbet in its front edgeat its upper end, a back board secured to and extending betvveen'the uprights and standing vvholly *Within" their contour, sockets carried by the inner faces of said uprights, a seat having trunnions engaged in the sockets, springengaging the seat and the Walls of tliesockets for normally urging the seat upwardly to folded position Wholly Within the contour of the uprights, arms hinged Within said 'rabbets, links pivotally connecting-the arms to the seatjfor accomplishing-their movement in 'unison with the seat, I and" means; on the 1 uprights for supporting the-seat in i-lowered position.

In testimony whereof, I a-tfix my signature in-the presence ofltvvo Witnesses.

' BEBN il) FUNK. Witnesses: a I

FKEDB QK WILLIAM FR. Ransom 

